MINUTES OF
REGULAR MEETING
March 21, 2023
CALL TO ORDER - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Nagy called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. and conducted the pledge of allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Council Members: Marsigli – Bonta – Mayor Pro Tem Ford - Mayor Nagy Staff present: City Manager Anna Nicholas, City Attorney Ann Siprelle (telephonically), Recreation Manager Tiffany Vitorino, Economic & Community Development Director Jami Westervelt, Finance Director Jennifer Morrison, Police Chief Ruben Chavez, Fire Chief Pat Borrelli, Public Works Supervisor Dennis Castro, and Administrative Services Director Melanie Correa
Council member Brazil was absent
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mayor Pro Tem Ford made a motion to approve the agenda as published.
The motion was seconded by Council member Bonta and carried 4-0, with Council member Brazil absent.
DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of conflict of interest.
PRESENTATIONS
1. U.S. Small Business Administration
Javier Caltenco, Public Affairs Specialist
Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience, Field Operations Center West Javier Caltenco, Public Affairs Specialist, updated on the most recent presidential declaration in regards to recent damage due to storms, and shared the availability of funding for individuals and small businesses impacted by the storms.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired on recovery center contact information, to which Mr.
Caltenco advised of two Disaster Recovery centers in Merced, one at UC Merced and the other at the Merced fairgrounds. He also advised residents are able to call and request an application or they can apply online at [email protected] . He provided information on the Economic Injury Disaster loan.
Mayor Nagy inquired on loss sales or businesses, to which Mr. Caltenco advised loss sales would fall under the Economic Injury Disaster loan program.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Pat Rocha of the Newman-Gustine Garden Club advised she is present to answer any questions in regards to consent calendar item #6.
Council member Marsigli inquired how the Club was planning to deter the ducks from damaging the landscape, to which Ms. Rocha advised they have a list of plants that are not favorable.
Lonn Straumus of Valley Recovery Residence, advised Valley Recovery Residence is opening at 151 Highway 33, at the former Westside Hospital site. He provided details on the business and what it will offer. He also provided two websites for residents and Council to check out for further information: valleysobercharities.org and valleysoberliving.org.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford inquired on funding, to which Mr. Straumus advised funding comes from the residents and local counties. He also advised the location will be able to serve 40-50 people.
Loretta Rose, Gustine Unified School Board, advised the Board would like to host a Community Night at the Goman Center on May 18th from 5:30PM to 8PM, she expressed her hope that Council could waive the fees associated. Mayor Nagy advised Loretta Rose to work with staff to bring something back to Council if necessary.
CONSENT CALENDAR
All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered routine and may be approved by one action of the City Council, unless any member of the City Council wishes to remove an item for separate consideration.
Are there any items on the consent calendar that any member of the public would like to comment on?
2. Minutes of the March 7, 2023 Regular Meeting
Recommendation: Review and approve
3. Warrants
Recommendation: Review and approve
4. Treasurer’s Report – February 2023
Recommendation: Review and file
5. Approve Request for Use of City Streets and Services, Waiver of Aquatics Center Fees for Patrons Under 12, and Allowance of Mobile Food Vendors for Annual 4th of July in the Park Event
Recommendation: Review and approve request
6. Approve Resolution Approving and Authorizing Execution of Memorandum of Understanding with Newman-Gustine Garden Club for Exterior Landscaping at Goman Community Center and Authorize Expenditure from User Utility Tax Fund Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
7. Approve Resolution Approving Annual Local Transportation Fund (LTF) Claim for Fiscal Year 2022-2023
Recommendation: Review and approve resolution
Mayor Nagy introduced the consent calendar.
There was no public comment.
Council member Marsigli inquired on the warrant for MAPS student gym membership, to which Police Chief Chavez advised the grant budget provides for extracurricular activities for students in the program.
Council member Marsigli provided her opinion that a deposit should be required for consent calendar item #6 and advised the deposit should be listed on the resolution, to which City Manager Nicholas advised the required deposit will be added to the resolution.
Council member Bonta made a motion to approve the consent calendar.
The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ford and carried 4-0, with Council member Brazil absent.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
8. Consider Appointment to Gustine Planning Commission
1. Receive Staff Report
2. Receive Public Comment
3. Consider a motion to appoint applicant to the Airport Commission Administrative Services Director Correa presented the staff report.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Nagy made a motion to nominate Derek Alexander to the Planning Commission.
The motion was seconded by Council member Marsigli and carried 4-0, with Council member Brazil absent.
CITY DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised of a new business opening, C5 Liquidation. She also advised 209 Finest Barber Shop will be opening soon.
She encouraged any questions in regards to home based businesses be directed to her. She thanked the Council for approving the new encroachment permit structure.
She updated on the Comcast and Unwired fiber projects. She advised of staff meeting with the Boys and Girls Club in regards to the summer program for 2023. She also reported there is an existing NOTAM for minor flooding on taxiway.
Council member Marsigli inquired on funding for the Boys and Girls Club, to which Economic & Community Development Director Westervelt advised funding is through Gustine Unified School District.
Police Chief Chavez advised of his attendance at the Police Chiefs Conference. He also advised he hosted the small police agency group. He provided details on AB963, SB43, SB363, AB24 and AB1215. He advised of an upcoming Law Enforcement recognition banquet on May 10th at the Elks Lodge in Merced at 5PM. He also informed Council a Gustine Police Officer will be recognized at the CV MADD Recognition Dinner for DUI arrests. He advised the department’s new radios were being programmed. He distributed the departments St. Patrick’s Day patches to Council.
Fire Chief Borrelli reported there have been no weather-related incidents. He advised of upcoming mandatory training, the department’s presence at Career Day at Gustine Unified School District and the Every 15 Minute program. He also advised he is working with Public Works and Bobby, trying to identify where the main storm drain terminates.
Police Chief Chavez returned to the podium to inform Council of legislature’s push to outlaw K9’s in police work.
Finance Director Morrison advised she had nothing to report.
Public Works Supervisor Castro updated on the success of the Spring Clean-Up event with Mid-Valley Disposal. He advised Public Works is topping trees on Ash Avenue to deter egrets. He also advised of their work at the Airport to get the pumps working.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford informed Public Works Supervisor Castro that he has copies of the 2003 Storm Drain Master Plan, if it could be useful.
Recreation Manager Vitorino advised of an erroneous date on the Lion’s Club Egg Hunt staff report from the previous City Council meeting. She updated on vendors and activities for the Easter Egg Hunt event. She also advised Miss Gustine interests are coming in. Ms. Vitorino reminded everyone of the Movie Night event on Friday at Henry Miller Park. She updated on the museum project, and informed Council of the Lifeguard Training event and the Career Day events later in the week. She advised of the Paint Night event on April 28th, and informed Council of Gustine Youth Baseball and Softball opening ceremonies. She advised of informational campaigns in regards to feeding ducks and no F.O.G. down the drain. She informed Council she will not be in attendance for the April meetings due to CPRS Conference on April 4th and a family trip at the end of April.
Council member Marsigli inquired if F.O.G. flyers are available spanish as well, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino answered no but advised she would look into it.
Mayor Nagy inquired on the museum windows, to which Recreation Manager Vitorino advised due to the age of the windows only the glass was replaced. She also advised the painting will be completed once the weather permits.
Administrative Services Director Correa reminded Council Form 700’s are due on April 3rd. She advised Ethics Training information will be rolling out soon. She also advised of current recruitments for Public Works Director and Lifeguard. She informed Council of the next City/County Relations Dinner in Merced. She also informed Council of Cal Cities Board of Directors position openings for 2023-2024.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Nicholas thanked staff for the Spring Clean-Up event collaboration. She followed up on the informational campaign flyers. She advised Caltrans clean-up days will take place from March 17th to March 27th. She also advised there may be groups collaborating to clean up highways and to be mindful when driving. She updated on the 2023 storms, and gave kudos to Police Chief Chavez and Fire Chief Borrelli on the collaborative effort.
Council member Marsigli expressed appreciation for the Merced County text alerts.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
There was no report.
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Council member Marsigli commented on the museum opening.
Council member Bonta shared encouragement from a resident who commended the Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford advised that he had nothing to report.
Mayor Nagy informed Council of a pile of garbage in front of a residence on 5th Street.
Public Works Supervisor Castro advised the garbage was picked up by public works today.
Mayor Nagy advised of graffiti on white building on Main Street, to which Public Works Supervisor Castro advised this was being taken care of.
Police Chief Chavez informed Council of a lot of recent gang activity, correlating the increase in graffiti.
Mayor Nagy updated on his and City Manager Nicholas’ attendance at the Merced County Association of Governments tipping fees meeting.
There was a brief discussion in regards to the tipping fees.
Mayor Pro Tem Ford commented on Mid-Valley Disposal bringing analysis on success of diversion.
There was further discussion in regards to tipping fees.
CLOSED SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nagy adjourned the meeting at 7:52 P.M.